Accessible Travel in Australia
One in five (4.2 million) Australians have a disability, making accessibility a critical issue in the Australian travel industry. In 2018, MyTravelResearch found that the accessible tourism market is worth $10 billion to Australia, prompting the industry to enhance facilities. Although there’s still much work to be done, several initiatives have recently improved accessibility for travelers in Australia. Here’s just a glimpse of the efforts being made across the country.
Researching an Accessible Australia Trip
It’s becoming increasingly easy to research travel opportunities in Australia. Consider starting with iBestTravel’s free Accessible Travel Online Resources. If your destination is Melbourne, explore the guide titled Accessible Melbourne, filled with reviews, practical details, and inspiration.
In March 2019, Travel Without Limits, Australia’s first disability travel magazine, was launched. Founded by Have Wheelchair Will Travel, this publication dives into the specifics that travelers with disabilities need to know. Moreover, in December 2018, Scott and Clair Crowley introduced The Good Scout’s 101 Accessible Australian Adventures guide, which offers insights on accommodations, wheelchair-accessible campervans, and diving opportunities throughout Australia. Additionally, South Australia became the first state to introduce accessible tourism awards.
Established in 2016, Sydney-based WheelEasy reviews attractions for wheelchair users, providing crucial details about parking, toilets, and terrain information. Rollawayz is a database offering wheelchair-accessible accommodation for every budget across Australia, maintained by Spinal Cord Injuries Australia. Can Go Everywhere provides online resources covering all of Australia, featuring a wide range of accommodations, attractions, and restaurants. Additionally, IDEAS (Information on Disability & Education Awareness Services) provides an Accessible Holidays category searchable by location.
Accessible Attractions in Australia
The Gold Coast is Australia’s most iconic beach destination, having hosted the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, the largest major sporting event to include para-sports. Gold Coast Tourism publishes valuable details such as accessible beaches with matting, mobility maps, and recharge points for electric mobility devices. There is also Accessible Beaches Australia, a directory of wheelchair-accessible beaches classified by state.
In Sydney, opportunities for travelers with disabilities continue to grow, especially around the iconic harbour. The Sydney Opera House offers Auslan-interpreted, captioned, sensory- and Autism-friendly performances and talks throughout the year. It also features daily access tours designed for those with limited mobility. After refurbishments concluded in December 2018, mobility-impaired visitors can now access the northern foyer bar, allowing them to enjoy the stunning view across the harbour. The Sydney Harbour Bridge is now accessible to wheelchair users thanks to the installation of elevators. Additionally, Gig Buddies supports individuals with learning disabilities, pairing them with volunteers to enjoy the city’s entertainment and nightlife.
In Victoria, known as Australia’s cultural capital, the City of Melbourne provides mobility maps, transport information, and accessible facilities. Travellers Aid Australia offers mobility equipment rental, buggy services at major train stations, volunteer support, and changing facilities. Many cities across Australia, including capital cities like Adelaide and regional centers like Townsville, feature guides on facilities for individuals with disabilities.
Innovative & Accessible Travel Experiences
National parks across Australia are striving to enhance their facilities for visitors with disabilities. Parks Victoria is recognized globally for its efforts in making nature accessible to those with limitations, including providing social script resources for children on the autism spectrum in parks like Wilsons Promontory. They also offer free TrailRider experiences, where volunteers assist travelers using single-wheeled chairs designed for various terrains. Moreover, the New South Wales National Parks & Wildlife Service outlines facilities like accessible forest boardwalks and accommodation options, including the wheelchair-friendly kayak launcher at Murray Valley Regional Park, which utilizes recycled plastic materials for enhanced accessibility.
The Disabled Surfers Association of Australia offers surfing experiences across its 16 branches in Australia and New Zealand. For those interested in sailing, Sailing for Everyone and Sailors with Disabilities provide adaptive sailing experiences. Additionally, art lovers who struggle to access audio tours can participate in Open Access Tours, which provide tours of more than 60 galleries and museums through captions, Auslan, audio description, and other languages, all accessible via phone or tablet.
Accessible Travel Agencies
Dedicated travel agencies are available throughout Australia. Melbourne-based TravAbility provides an extensive range of travel resources for travelers, encompassing full travel agency services from car rentals to adventurous journeys. This agency plays a significant role in promoting accessibility in the travel industry. Furthermore, the travel company In the Flinders (tel +614 288 878 45) specializes in off-the-beaten-path tours using TrailRiders in locations spanning South Australia, including picturesque beaches and bush tracks in the Flinders Ranges and Adelaide Hills.
For instance, companies like Cocky Guides have shifted focus from conventional sightseeing to sensory-driven experiences. They organize adventures for vision-impaired travelers at locales like Kiama Blowhole and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Travel With Special Needs is a travel agency providing holiday packages that have been rigorously tested by travelers with disabilities, featuring destinations like Uluru and the Whitsundays. Additionally, more information on accessible operators specializing in everything from cruises to city breaks can be explored in the Travel Agents, Tour Operators & Commercial Operators section of iBestTravel’s free Accessible Travel Online Resources.
Top Tips for Accessible Travel in Australia
While these companies enhance your experience amid the breathtaking wilderness, Australia’s cities and towns are generally well-suited for independent travelers with disabilities. Infrastructure such as tactile paving, curb cuts, Braille buttons for lifts and ATMs, hearing loops in public facilities, and audible signals at pedestrian crossings are extensively available. The National Relay Service assists individuals with hearing or speech impairments in phone communications.
Public restrooms are typically wheelchair accessible, and you can quickly locate one nearby by using the linked National Public Toilet Map. For additional space, Changing Places offers a list and map-based search for fully equipped toilets featuring hoists and adult-sized change tables.
Wheelchair taxis are widely available and can be easily located online. Furthermore, the Australian company Haycomp has developed the Eagle Lifter used by Qantas and other airlines, providing a comfortable lifting solution for travelers with mobility needs onto planes. Additionally, Transport Victoria has introduced beacon wayfinding technology in six train stations, enabling vision-impaired individuals to navigate public transport using the BlindSquare app.
Written with expert help from Martin Heng.
